Introduction to terms relevant to discussion of mercury storage and disposal Sven Hagemann GRS Asia Pacific (AP) Regional Mercury Storage Project Executive Committee (Execom) Meeting 29-30 July 2011, Surabaya, Indonesia

Goal of the “Introduction to Terms” Describe terms and concepts used in the discussion of storage and disposal of mercury and mercury waste Identify terms currently in use Describe and explain terms and underlying concepts based on current practices or how the term is commonly used. List definitions, where available, from the Basel Convention The “Introduction to Terms” is for background information only. Descriptions and definitions shall not pre-empt discussion at INC Nevertheless, the glossary may serve as a basis to start with

Methodology List relevant terms. Sources: UNEP studies, reports and documents presented at or prepared for mercury OEWG 1, OEWG 2, PREP-INC, INC-1, INC-2, UNEP Governing Council 24th and 25th sessions Basel Convention, decisions and (draft) Technical Guidelines Other relevant literature Group similar and synonymous terms Describe terms and concepts as they are currently used (independent of their legal relevance, consistency or compatibility) Mention definitions from the Basel Convention or its Technical Guidelines, where availab Definitions Definitions were taken from existing conventions (Basel, Stockholm, Rotterdam, Montreal) as appropriate Otherwise, proposals presented on the basis of other sources (national/regional legislation, relevant literature) or combination thereof Descriptions and explanations were added if definitions seemed to leave room for interpretation Proposal made which term or terms could be further used and which terms could be avoided

General introduction Overview on terms in this chapter Illustrations Description of terms in the form of questions and answers (Q&A) Brief discussion of simliar terms

Four Groups of terms Mercury Mercury waste Mercury waste management Storage and disposal

“Types” Of Mercury Mercury Source Legal Status Primary mercury Secondary mercury By-product mercury Source Commodity Waste Legal Status Mercury Elemental mercury Mercury compound Amalgam Mercury added product Chemical Form/ Use Surplus mercury Market Demand

Options for the management of mercury Recovery/ Recycling Mercury Waste Commodities By national definition or choice of owner End-Of-Life Mercury added products Commodity Mercury and Mercury Compounds Waste of Elemental Mercury Waste Containing Mercury Extraction e.g. Measuring Devices Batteries Lamps Elemental Mercury and Compounds Not Considered Waste End-of-life Products Waste from Industrial Processes Elemental Mercury That is Considered Waste)* Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste (Basel Technical Guidelines) Environmentally Sound Management of commodities Collection/ Transport Temporary Storage Stabilization Final disposal Transport Use Storage

Basel Convention: a) Wastes listed in Annex I of BC Basel Convention: Substances or objectes […] intended/ required for disposal Hazardous waste Basel Convention: a) Wastes listed in Annex I of BC b) By national definition Mercury waste Classification: Basel Convention OEWG VII (2010) Waste consisting of mercury Elemental mercury End of life products, stabilized mercury Waste containing mercury Waste contaminated with mercury Everything else

Environementally sound management (ESM) of hazardous waste Waste management BC: Collection, storage, treatment, transport, disposal, after-care of disposal sites Environementally sound management (ESM) of hazardous waste BC: taking all practicable steps to ensure that human health and the environment are protected against the adverse effects […] Waste stabilisation/ solidification Chemical stabilization Chemical transformation Microencapsulation Embedment in an inert matrix Macroencapsulation Coverage with impermeable material Storage Disposal

On the way to “Storage” Storage of waste Preliminary Storage Temporary Storage Storage of commodities Permanent storage Underground storage Warehouse storage Long-term management and storage

The Right Way to “Storage” Type of stored mercury Commodity Waste „Storage“ Storage of commodities Preliminary Storage Storage of waste Type of Storage facility Temporary Storage Above ground Underground Permanent storage Long-term management and storage Underground storage Warehouse storage

The Right Way to “Storage” Type of stored mercury Commodity Waste Storage of waste before collection (e.g. by owner/ producer) Storage of commodities Preliminary Storage Storage of waste Storage of products and goods for later use or sale Storage of waste before treatment/ final disposal/ recycling Temporary Storage Permanent storage Final disposal, e.g. in underground mines

The Right Way to “Storage” Type of Storage facility Above ground Underground US concept of storing elemental Hg in warehouses for up to 40 years or more Long-term management and storage Final disposal (permanent storage) of mercury waste in underground mines Underground storage Warehouse storage Storage of mercury (waste or non-waste) in aboveground warehouses

„Disposal“ in the narrower sense (as often commonly used) Discarding a material or waste so that this is no longer used in its initial form Disposal in the Basel Convention Operations which do not lead to recycling, recovery, re-use Recycling, recovery Storage of waste Treatment of waste Specially engineered landfill “Final Disposal” Permanent storage Other